A major emergency response remains in place across the Cairngorms National Park despite continued progress in bringing the devastating wildfire under control.
Firefighters, police and partner agencies remain fully deployed as crews continue tackling the blaze, with a Level 3 response continuing while efforts focus on extinguishing the fire and protecting surrounding communities.
First Minister John Swinney chaired a further meeting of the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room on Sunday, bringing together ministers and representatives from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Police Scotland, Highland Council and the Cairngorms National Park Authority to review the latest position.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed there had been positive progress in controlling the wildfire, but that substantive response measures will remain in place.
The First Minister said:
“As our emergency services and partners continue to tackle the wildfires in the Cairngorms, I am pleased to see there has been welcome progress and I thank all again for their continued hard work and collaboration.
“The Scottish Government requested military assistance, in the form of aerial support to drop water on the fire, from the Ministry of Defence to supplement existing aerial resources that are in place.
“We have received a formal response advising that the UK Government are not in a position to agree to this request, given that the Ministry of Defence does not possess aerial firefighting assets stationed within the UK.
“The offer of other resources is welcome but SFRS has confirmed they have the other resources they need.
“Ministers will continue to be updated on the fire and resources and services will remain until the fire is out.
“As I stated earlier, this wildfire is being treated with the utmost seriousness and necessary resources will be in place until the last flames are out.”
Police Scotland also confirmed a significant policing operation remains in place across the affected area.
Superintendent Judy Hill said:
“Police continue to respond to protect and support the people affected and we will maintain a significant presence in the area for some time to come.
“Anyone with concerns can approach these officers, who are there to help.
“This is a concerning time for residents, businesses and visitors to the area.
“I would like to reassure people living across Badenoch and Strathspey area, as well as Moray, that dynamic plans remain in place and the situation is continually monitored.
“Substantial resources from police and partners, including three helicopters today, are still being deployed to the area.
“We remain fully committed to supporting our SFRS colleagues in bringing this incident to safe conclusion as soon as possible.
“Please follow advice issued by Police Scotland and emergency services and turn to official sources for information.”
Support also remains available for residents through the information point at Nethy Bridge Community Centre, while Highland Council’s emergency housing team and NHS Highland continue to assist those affected by the wildfire.
Highland Council’s out of hours team remains on standby for emergency housing support and can be contacted on 01349 886691.
For more information visit Emergency contacts – Who to contact in an emergency – Highland Council
NHS Highland continue to support vulnerable people and those with care needs.
Anyone with health concerns should contact NHS 24 by calling 111.
The advice is to continue to keep windows and doors closed in the immediate area but also in wider areas where the smoke is drifting.
Please visit NHS Scotland
The C7 (Ski Road), Forest Lodge Access Road, Lettoch Road and Dorback remain closed.
Members of the public should continue to avoid the affected areas within the Cairngorms National Park.
The area remains unsafe due to active firefighting operations, rapidly changing fire conditions and helicopter activity.
The following areas remain closed or subject to access restrictions:
- Paths around Glenmore, Loch Morlich and Badaguish.
- Low-level routes including the Old Logging Way and routes providing access to Cairngorm Mountain, the Northern Corries, Meall A’ Bhuachaille, the Green Loch (Lochan Uaine), Strath Nethy and Bynack More.
- Paths within Abernethy Forest to the south of Forest Lodge towards Ryvoan Bothy.
